Quirks of Hanoi, Vietnam

Comments on VN so far

I now know it's possible to have a traffic jam in a city of motorbikes - I was stuck in gridlock.
Funeral procession this morning, complete with monks, nuns, mourners with white headbands, and a coffin-carrying bus. Filled up the street.
Traffic rules as far as I can tell: You're only responsible for what's in front ofyou. If you can inch your nose ahead of another vehicle, you now have the right of way! Just beware, ready to dodge dangling power lines at head level in the middle of the road.
Looking left-right-left is for amateurs - just walk straight across, with eyes on your destination, or map...
Got lost first 3 days attempting to return to hotel. There are no square blocks or direct roads in Hanoi!
All manner of business is conducted on the sidewalk: making stoves, bamboo ladders, fixing bikes, fruit stand, beer garden, florist, painting mannequins (and flowers), restaurant...



Went to couple of bars on Saturday night, where bellydancing, all the rage now, was being performed. Therefore, the only ones on the "dance floor" were the performers - even after they were done, no one would join me on the floor... The garage door shutters were closed at 12:00, per government regulations, but the music and drinking continued unfazed. Second club was on a barge on the river, so, apparently, far enough from residences to allow it to officially stay open later.


Pouring down rain on Sunday. Nice to have the road to myself - everyone stayed indoors. But, even this Seattleite donned a rain poncho (less substantial than garbage bag quality plastic).

Taking the overnight bus (20 hours?) to Vientiane, Lao tonight. Looking forward to a change of pace - by all accounts, calmer, friendlier in Lao. So, I should get this one posting from VN published!